VIKINGBALL — OFFICIAL RULES
Everything you need to step on the field — the basics, the gameplay, the zones, and the code of conduct.
The refs will answer any questions about rules and will keep it simple for players to understand and retain.
RULEBOOK
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QUICK RULES SUMMARY
The Essentials
- 6v6 including goalie
- Score by knocking the ball off the cone
- Two 15-minute halves
- Pass or shoot within 10 seconds
- If the ball hits the ground, it is a turnover
- No self-passes
- Stay out of the opponent's zone unless your team has possession
- Clear the opponent's zone after turnovers
- Do not enter the goalie box
- Goalies stay in the goalie box
- Subs are allowed, but the exiting player must be fully off first
- No pushing, charging, diving, or hitting the ball out of hands
- Play resumes only on the ref's signal
- Compete hard. Respect everyone.
THE BASICS
The Basics
- 6v6 (including goalie)
- Two 15-minute halves
- Most goals wins
- Score by knocking ball off cone
Game Flow
Play only stops for:
- Goals
- Out of bounds
- Penalties
- Injuries
Play resumes ONLY when the referee signals.
GAMEPLAY RULES
Ball Rules (Core Mechanic)
- You have 10 seconds to pass or shoot → Failure = turnover
- If the ball touches the ground → turnover
- If the ball stays off the ground and is caught by the same team (even off a deflection) → play continues
- No self-passes
- Double bounce on goal → ❌ No goal
- Change of possession (loose ball): the team awarded possession has 10 seconds to pick up and move the ball, as long as it stays in play. If they don't, the other team is awarded possession and play resets the same way it does after a goal.
Out of Bounds
What Counts
Applies to ALL passes and shots
- Ball out → change of possession
- Ball rolls out of bounds
- Player steps out of bounds with the ball → turnover
Restart
- Ref spots the ball and tells teams where to line up
- Possession is awarded
- Play resumes on the referee's signal or whistle
Ball Out in Opponent's Zone
- Offensive team must retreat to the neutral zone
- Defending team gains possession in their zone
- Play resumes on the referee's whistle or signal
Ball Out in Your Own Zone
- Opposing team gains possession at the neutral zone
- Your team must stay in your zone until play resumes
Ball Out in Neutral Zone
- Opposing team gains possession in their team zone
- Your team must retreat to your team zone before play resumes
Zone Rule (No Cherry-Picking)
You cannot be in opponent zone without possession.
After Turnover
You have 10 seconds to clear the opponent's zone.
Failure to clear within 10 seconds → 30-second penalty.
Simple: "No ball = leave their zone within 10 seconds."
Scoring
Knock ball off cone = GOAL.
No Goal If:
- Offensive player enters goalie box
- Ball double bounces
Stalling Rule
Once a team gains possession of the ball, they have a maximum of 10 seconds to advance the ball into either:
- The neutral zone, or
- The opposing team's zone
A team cannot bring the ball back into their own zone while maintaining possession.
Failure to advance the ball or illegally retreating possession into your own zone:
- → Change of possession
- → Play resets at the neutral zone
GOALIE & SUBSTITUTIONS
Goalie Box Rules
The goalie box is a restricted area surrounding the goal. These rules are strictly enforced to protect scoring integrity and player safety.
Entering the Box
A player's foot may not cross into the goalie box at any time — whether touching the ground or airborne.
Applies on shots, passes, rebounds, and follow-through.
Ball Extension Allowed
Upper body and ball may extend over the goalie box line — as long as the foot does not enter.
Falling Into the Box After a Shot
A player who releases a shot and then falls into the box may still be awarded a goal — depending on the situation.
- • Ball clearly leaves the hands before entering the box
- • Ref determines the shot was completed well prior to crossing into the box
- • Player still had possession when entering the box
- • The play is too close to call
All close goalie box situations are ruled at the referee's discretion. If too close to call, the result defaults to NO GOAL.
Goalie Rules
- Must stay in the goalie box at all times during live play
- Can use any part of body
Possession Rules
- Drops pass → must throw down field to other team
- Loose ball enters when it's not your team's possession → must throw ball down field to other team
Conduct & Contact
All contact and conduct rules that apply to shooters apply equally to the goalie — including pushing, swatting, ripping, or punching the ball out of a player's hand. Violations result in the same penalty as they would for any field player.
Failure to stay within the goalie box during live play → 1-minute penalty.
Knocks over goal → Goal counts.
If the goalie receives a penalty, their team selects a player who was on the field at the time of the infraction to serve the penalty on the goalie's behalf.
Substitutions
- Allowed anytime (live or stoppage)
- Player must be fully off before sub enters → violation = penalty
Contact Rules
Allowed
- Interceptions
- Blocking
- Basketball-style defense
Not Allowed
- No excessive physical contact
- No hitting ball out of hands
- No ripping ball from hands
- No diving
- No targeting goalie
Pulled Goalie Rule (Final 2 Minutes)
During the final 2 minutes of regulation, a team that is trailing may pull their goalie for an extra field player.
- The goalie must be completely off the field before the 6th player enters
- Once pulled, the goalie cannot re-enter until a goal is scored by either team
- All goalie box rules still apply during this period
- Any penalties involving the goalie box remain enforceable even when the goalie has been pulled
OVERTIME
Format
- Best-of-5 shootout
- Then sudden death
Shootout
- 5 seconds to shoot
- No shot → no goal
PENALTIES
Minor Penalties — 30 Seconds
1. Failure to Clear Zone
Player stays in opponent's zone for more than 10 seconds after a turnover.
→ 30-second penalty
2. Defensive Goalie Box (No Impact)
A defender enters their own goalie box but does NOT affect play.
→ 30-second penalty
The penalty is signaled or verbalized by the referee, but — like a delayed penalty in hockey — play continues until a change of possession. Once play resumes, the team the penalty is in favor of starts with the ball.
3. Stalling
Failure to advance the ball within 10 seconds, or illegally retreating possession into your own zone.
- Change of possession
- Play resets at the neutral zone
4. Swatting / Ripping / Punching Ball
Swatting, ripping, or punching the ball out of a player's hand.
→ 30-second penalty
Applies equally to all field players and goalies.
Offensive Goalie Box Violation
3. Offense Enters Goalie Box
An offensive player enters the goalie box.
→ No goal + turnover
1-Minute Penalties
5. Too Many Players
Team has extra player(s) on the field.
- 1-minute penalty
- Ends early if opposing team scores
6. Goalie Leaves the Goalie Box
The goalie steps or moves outside the goalie box during live play.
→ 1-minute penalty
If the goalie's team is on defense: the penalty is signaled or verbalized by the referee, but — like a delayed penalty in hockey — play continues until a change of possession. The team the penalty is in favor of starts with the ball once play resumes.
If the goalie's team is on offense: play is stopped immediately and the penalty is automatically enforced — the other team receives the ball.
Penalty Shots — Major Game Impact
4. Defensive Goalie Box (Impacts Play)
Defender enters box and:
- Blocks a shot
- Disrupts a scoring opportunity
→ Penalty shot
5. Physical Contact
Any pushing, charging, or body contact.
→ Penalty shot
Ejection — Severe
14. Fighting / Major Misconduct
Fighting or dangerous behavior.
- Immediate removal from game
- Possible league suspension or ban
MISCONDUCT & UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Verbal Misconduct Policy
Vikingball is built on competition, respect, and sportsmanship. Verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, or excessive disrespect toward referees, players, staff, or spectators will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
This Includes
- Excessive arguing with referees
- Personal insults or verbal attacks
- Threatening language or behavior
- Taunting intended to provoke conflict
- Abusive, discriminatory, or offensive remarks
- Repeated unsportsmanlike outbursts after warnings
Enforcement
Referees and league officials have full authority to enforce misconduct penalties during all Vikingball events.
Penalty Progression
The player will receive a verbal warning from the referee.
Continued verbal misconduct after a warning may result in immediate removal from the game.
If misconduct continues in future games or becomes severe, the player may be suspended or permanently removed from the league at the discretion of league referees and Vikingball ownership.
Zero-Tolerance Situations
Severe threats, aggressive confrontation, hate speech, or behavior deemed harmful to the safety or integrity of the league may result in immediate ejection and possible permanent removal without prior warning.
By participating in Vikingball, all players agree to uphold a competitive but respectful environment for everyone involved.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Respect all players and officials.
Light trash talk is okay — but no disrespect, and no poor sportsmanship.